OLLIE IS READY FOR THE BIG TIME

Ian Fortune

As Barry Caul put it so wonderfully in commentary, “it’s the jolly, Ollie, who wins lots of lolly”.

Yes, the Ollie in question is Yorkie Ollie, who ran out a sensational winner of the This Runs Deep Open Unraced at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night, once again confirming his immense promise as he posted a sensationally fast time in the €10,000 decider.

Elsewhere on the card, there were a number of fine displays including in each of the three other finals, while Da Bold Falcon made history by smashing the 600yd track record with the most incredible run.

YORKIE WITH A SWEET DISPLAY

Yorkie Ollie was sent to traps the odds-on favourite for the This Runs Deep Open Unraced and his supporters were soon in clover.

With his main market rival Boylesports Blue failing to take the flier he needed from four, Yorkie Ollie had no real opposition in the early yards.

Boylesports Blue attempted to edge inwards, leaving Yorkie Ollie with plenty of room to race, although it scarcely mattered as he was already clear by the time he hit the line in 2.06. Fun In the Run was second at this point but was never going to threaten the pace-setter.

Yorkie Ollie was simply in a league of his own. Two lengths clear on the bend, he was four in front by the time he hit the back straight. The Owen McKenna trained son of Magical Bale and Outdoor Roller eased on to hit the third turn some six lengths clear.

By this point in the contest, Droopys Roar was after making up plenty of ground to challenge for second spot. She continued to progress, going second on her own between the last two bends. Yorkie Ollie was not stopping, however.

After clocking a rapid 15.82 to the third turn, he maintained a relentless gallop to the line to see off Droopys Roar by seven lengths in a magical 27.88. The luckless Boylesports Blue did show fine pace to grab third, some four and a half lengths further back.

Yorkie Ollie is clearly the real deal. Owners Michael Hennessy and Adrian Sheils can start dreaming of classic glory with their star. He is young enough to take in the Juvenile Derby, while a Derby challenge later in the year seems inevitable.

Given his immense pace and obvious potential, the November ’22 whelp should now be regarded amongst the most, if not the most, exciting young greyhound in training.   Conor Matthews Racing Support Officer Shelbourne Park presents the trophy to Declan Hennessy after Yorkie Ollie won This Runs Deep ON 525 final. Also included are trainer Owen McKenna, Michael Hennessy and Adrian Sheils.                          Pic: Imelda Grauer 

 ***********

FALCON FLIES TO SMASH 600YD RECORD

Da Bold Falcon did all he could to upstage Yorkie Ollie, however.

While the track at Shelbourne Park has been running very well in recent weeks, his 31.72 return in the second race over 600yds was nothing short of magical.

Not only did he dip under one of the great track records but he smashed it, taking over two and a half lengths off the previous best of Laughil Duke. Flashing from trap two, the hugely powerful son of Droopys Sydney and Hail Cleopatra led in the early yards but he was joined into the turn by Brunswick Bullet.

The latter actually moved on but maintained a wide path, leaving room along the fence for Da Bold Falcon to rejoin him by the third turn. It was from this point that the Ginger McGee trained star went nuclear.

Displaying the most awesome pace and power, Da Bold Falcon lived up to his name, swooping clear to eventually hit the line seven lengths clear of Brunswick Bullet. It was the most incredible display of power and the likelihood is his new track record will last for some time.

NORA HANDS GINGER A MAGICAL DOUBLE

John ‘Ginger’ McGee certainly had a night to remember.

Aside from his track record breaker Da Bold Falcon, he also sent out Deelish Nora to capture the €3,000 Sporting Press mini-open 525.

Sent to traps the 5-2 joint second favourite, it was soon evident she was going to take some stopping. Coosane Pickles went to traps the warm favourite but found traffic on the turn and was always struggling to get back on terms.

In contrast, Deelish Nora broke smartly from three and was soon in control. JS Porter’s daughter of Droopys Sydney and Ballymac Orna maintained a relentless gallop throughout to eventually come home clear.

Coosane Pickles did run on strongly to grab second but Deelish Nora was not going to be reeled in. She would eventually hit the line four and a half lengths to the good in a sizzling 28.17. Headinthewindow was best of the remainder, three lengths adrift in third. 

EDEL MAKES MOST OF KIND DRAW

The final of the Sporting Press Open Bitch 525 was also won in 28.17 with Droopys Edel making full use of an ideal draw on the fence.

The Ian Reilly trained Oaks third was warm order despite suffering defeat in the semis but it was soon evident she was going to come home in front.

Breaking on terms, she held Arent We All into the bend to slip around in front. Sean Dunphy’s daughter of King Sheeran and Droopys Hunch was always going to take some stopping once assuming control.

Ballymac Run and Arent We All both did all they could to reel in the favourite to the third turn but it was Highview Scan that showed the most pace. Flying into the third turn, she moved second to chase home Droopys Edel. At the line Droopys Edel had two lengths in hand on Highview Scan.

SPARKY ARRIVES LATE AND FAST

Stripe Sparky has been running consistently well of late and he gained a well-deserved success in the final of the valuable Wear Your Parade Jackets A1 600 final.

Breaking faster than usual, Ned Freeman’s son of Ballymac Bolger and Gareths star went up on the outside of Saleen Pearl.

The latter took charge as they entered the back and built up a sizeable lead but Stripe Sparky is very strong and he began to close the gap into the third turn. Still with plenty to do as they turned for home, Stripe Sparky flew up the home straight to nab Saleen Pearl in the shadows of the post for a length victory in a slick 32.58. Tell On Bella was just three parts of a length away in third.

SYD IMPRESSES IN FINALE

The final race on the card witnessed a brilliant run from the Tipperary Cup winner and Dundalk International runner-up Tribal Syd.

Trained by Murt Leahy for Martin Costigan, the son of Droopys Sydney and Myahs Friend flew to the turn to clear his rivals before racing into an unassailable lead by halfway.

Kapuka Warrior gave chase throughout but was never going to get to the pace-setter. Elite Josh also ran on strongly but Tribal Syd emerged a facile six length winner over Kapuka Warrior in a wonderful 28.05.

THE LAD WINS FROM LITTER BROTHER

Ballymac Thelad emerged a good winner of the penultimate race for Liam Dowling.

Evolution went up fast from three and set a strong gallop to halfway but his litter brother Ballymac Thelad was on his heels and began to assert into the third turn.

The son of Ballymac Cashout and Ballymac Cams stayed on well to contain a rallying Evolution by a length in 28.29.

BREAGHMORE AN IMPRESSIVE WINNER OF OPENER

Breaghmore Dice ran out an impressive winner of the opener in a flying 28.28.

MJ Corrigan’s son of Droopys Sydney was moderately away from two but displayed real courage to force his way to the front on the opening bend.

By the time he entered the back straight, Breaghmore Dice had three lengths in hand and kept on rolling to the line to run out an emphatic five length winner over Prince Naseem.

MIA LANDS LATE TO SCORE

Dolores Merriman’s Highview Mia got the better of Rallying Thunder in a thrilling finish to the third race.

It was initially Aoife Artist who set the pace, but she was joined and passed by Rallying Thunder down the far side. All the while, the eye was drawn to the Gerry Merriman trained Highview Mia who was making big ground into the third bend.

She soon had the leader in her sights. Off the last bend, Highview Mia (Pat C Sabbath/ Highview Picture) switched wide and got there in the nick of time to beat Rallying Thunder by a short head in 28.53.

LORD TOO GOOD IN SPRINT

Kapuka Lord was well found in the market ahead of the sole sprint contest but he gave his supporters a few uneasy moments as he was led at trap rise before really hitting his stride.

Showing fine early dash, the Karol Ramsbottom trained son of Burgess Bucks and Blackstone Balad was in charge by the turn.

Matt Dunne’s charge was two lengths clear at this point and he drew clear to eventually hit the line four lengths to the good over Rollover Sampson in a slick 18.68.

RING WINS AGAIN

Fiery Ring came out on top in the seventh race for Michael Butler.

From a kind draw on the fence, the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Ballymac India was always to the fore before going on to beat Ballymac briar by three lengths in 28.71.